Women's Environmental Institute

MISSION, OBJECTIVES, STAFF and ADVISORS
Mission
The Women’s Environmental Institute at Amador Hill, a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization, is an environmental research, renewal and
retreat center designed to create and share knowledge about
environmental issues and policies relevant to women, children and
identified communities especially affected by environmental injustices;
to promote organic and sustainable agriculture skill building and
ecological awareness; and to promote activism that influences public
policy and supports social change.
Objectives
WEI has six program centers dedicated:
• to create knowledge, scholarship and educational materials for
individuals or groups working on environmental issues related to women,
children, and disproportionately impacted communities
• to become an information hub that organizes current research and
writing on environmental issues related to women, children, and
identified communities
• to demonstrate leadership in civic involvement, global responsibility
and stewardship around environmental issues at both the local and
global level
• to provide both on-site and off-site educational outreach in seminars
(and eventually distant learning courses) and experiential learning
workshops on practical activities related to sustainable agriculture
and environmental issues
• to develop strong affiliations with local environmental and
ecologically-focused groups and secondary and post-secondary
institutions to create collaborative programming and projects
• to create an institute that will provide a model for
environmentally-friendly construction, land stewardship and
conservation practices, renewable energy, resource development, and
organic food production and processing.
WHAT WEI CREATES: A Center for Renewal, Thought, Action
A space for meetings and retreats and a renewal center for activists,
educators, students, organizations, and citizens working on
environmental issues that impact on women, children, and communities
disproportionately affected by environmental injustice; training and
workshops for social action change.
A progressive Rockin' Chair Think Tank to organize and analyze
information on current environmental research; provide opportunities
for creating research groups on community environmental initiatives and
maintain policy development networks and organizations to foster social
change and inclusive enviro/feminist political action
An Alternative Farm Campus to provide outreach and education on green
living, sustainable development, renewable energy, organic food
production and to develop environmental and eco-agricultural policies
and resources.
An Eco-Friendly Community Center to provide a learning space that will
model practices of environmentally-friendly construction, land
stewardship, environmental conservation, renewable resource
development, and organic farming and gardening practices.
A peaceful Retreat and Conference Center for guests to rest up and do
what they need to do to carry on.
WEI STAFF
Karen Clark, Executive Director. A progressive Minnesota State
legislator for 24 years, public-health nurse and OB-GYN nurse
practitioner, community organizer, graduate of the JFK School at
Harvard and ovarian cancer survivor of 5 years. Karen’s passionate
dedication to environmental justice is reflected in her legislative,
community and personal priorities. Karen is a part-time instructor at
the U of MN and also at the College of St. Catherine’s Graduate Program
of Holistic Health Studies.
Jacquelyn Zita, Director of Education and Operations. Prominent women’s
studies scholar and educator, Jacquelyn is the former Chair of the
Department of Women’s Studies and former Director of Graduate Studies
of the U of MN Feminist Studies Ph.D. program. Dr. Zita has a BS in
Biology and Chemistry and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Washington
University, St. Louis. Formerly President of the National Women’s
Studies Association, Jacquelyn brings experience as an educator and
institution builder plus her extensive knowledge of women’s biology,
women’s health issues, gender and environmental
studies. Jacquelyn is also Vice President of the Friends of Wild River
State Park.
Cecilia Martinez, EJEAC Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator.
A scholar, researcher, college professor and a community activist in
the Native American, foundation, nonprofit and environmental justice
communities, Dr. Martinez is an informed voice on sustainable
environmental strategies and practices. Cecilia is a board member and
adviser for numerous organizations and foundations including Headwaters
Foundation and the North American Water Office. She earned a B.S. in
Political Science from Stanford Univerisity, a Masters of Public
Administration from New Mexico State University, and a PHD from the
University of Delaware, College of Urban Affairs and Public Policy.
Jennifer McCauley Oftelie, Executive Assistant, is a local resident new
to the area, she has experience with sustainable farming, produce
distribution, and community-building. Jenn attained her BS in Health
Education from Western Washington University and is a certified Hatha
yoga instructor.
Josephine Williams, North Circle Project Coordinator supported by
Americorps*VISTA. A recent graduate from Macalester College with a B.A.
in Geolgoy, Jo spent her year prior to coming to WEI gaining valuable
gardening and community-living experience working as a farm intern at
Philadelphia Community Farm, an organic vegetable CSA in Osceola, WI,
where she now serves on the Community Council.
Janelle Sorensen, Children's Environmental Health Consultant, is a
seasoned environmental health advocate with extensive experience in
public education, communications, policy analysis, program management
and strategic development. She has worked with a diverse array of
stakeholder groups ranging from nonprofit organizations to school
districts to government offices. She is currently working on her
Master's Degree in Liberal Studies with a focus on Public Affairs,
Environmental Policy and Social Change at the University of Minnesota.
She is also the proud parent of two rambunctious young daughters and
one lovely, teen-aged stepdaughter. Janelle represents WEI in the
Healthy Legacy Collaboration and assists with the EcoAware Project.
Hilary Sandall, Volunteer CSA Farm Coordinator. A native of England,
Hillary was introduced to organic gardening as a child and has come out
of part-time retirement as a psychiatrist to enjoy it once again. She
has maintained a professional interest in the importance of good
nutrition throughout her career, so the switch into organic food
production has only been a step away from cooking and enjoying seasonal
food.
Aileen Seoane, Grant and Development Coordinator. Aileen has experience
in community engagement, development and management with nonprofits,
business and philanthropy. Her favorite projects in developmentment
include working on start-ups, donor cultivation, corporate and
foundation support, sponsorships and legacy programs. Aileen received
her BA from Oberline College and is the process of initiation in th e
Lukumi faith.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sharon Day, WEI Board Chair, is the Executive Director and co-founder
of the Indigenous Peoples Task Force, a member of the Bois Forte Band
of Ojibwe, an artist, musician, educator and community activist. Sharon
directed the Ogitchidag Theater Project for youth and created the
Manidoowahdak Odena Housing Village for families living with HIV/AIDS
in Minneapolis. Sharon has years of executive director experience and
is particularly skilled in creating collaborations of people from
diverse backgrounds to work on social justice issues and ensuring
Native American leadership opportunities. Sharon directs the Indigenous
Women’s Programming at WEI.
Hattie Bonds, WEI Treasurer, is Assistant Principal at Patrick Henry
High School and Founding Board Member of Environmental Justice
Advocates of Minnesota. Hattie is active in education and civil rights
issues, including serving on numerous boards dedicated to educational
advancement for low-income and students of color. Hattie has a B.S. in
Elementary and Special Education from
Lincoln University, Jefferson, Missouri; an M.A. in Educational
Administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City,
Missouri; a Post-M.A. Secondary Science Certificate from the University
of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri; and Doctorial courses from Saint
Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Alondra Espejel, WEI Board Secretary, majored in Management, Popular
Education and Chicano Studies at the University of Minnesota. She has
over six years of community and academic experience with the Latino and
immigrant communities, including work with the U of MN La Raza Student
Cultural Center, Chicano Studies Support Group (to rebuild the Chicano
Studies Department), the General College Truth Movement, La Escuelita
and the Girls Getting Ahead leadership program with WomenVenture and
the Page Foundation. Currently she is Board Member of the Minnesota
Immigrant Freedom Network and she leads the Voices of Immigrants
Changing and Education Society Program.
Collie Graddick, Board Member and North Circle Advisory, an
Agricultural Consultant with the MN Department of Agriculture(MDA)
managing the MDA/ US Environmental Protection Agency’s Urban Pesticide
Educational Initiative program. Formerly a regulatory advisor with MDA’
Seed, Noxious Weed and Pesticide Regulatory Program, Collie has worked
with MDA for 12 years. Previously a County Extension Agent in Auburn,
Alabama, and a marketing coordinator at Cargill-Nutrena, Collie earned
a BS in Plant Science from Fort Valley State College in Georgia and an
MS in Plant and Soil Science from Tuskegee University in Alabama.
Shalini Gupta, retiring Board Member, is a Senior Energy Associate with
the Izaak Walton League of America. She conducts Midwest regional
policy research and advocacy on renewable energy, energy-efficiency and
climate neutral energy strategies. She previously served as the
Community Energy Project Manager for The Green Institute in
Minneapolis. Shalini has a Master’s of Environmental Policy and
Management from Yale University and a BS in Geology and Geophysical
Sciences from the University of Chicago. She is on the boards of the
Headwaters Foundation for Justice and Environmental Justice Advocates
of Minnesota and is a 2006-2008 National Environmental Leadership
Program Fellow.
Robert Lilligren, Board member, is serving his second term as the
Council Member representing three inner-city neighborhoods (Phillips,
Whittier, and Stevens Square) on the Minneapolis City Council, where he
chairs the Committee on the Whole. Robert serves on numerous boards
including the Empowerment Zone Board, Minneapolis Convention Center
Board, Midtown Community Works Partnership, Minneapolis American Indian
Center Capital Campaign Committee, Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, OutFront
Minnesota Board Member, Native Amercan Community Development Institute
(Charter Member) and is a founding Board member of bikeon.org. An avid
environmentalist and bicyclist, Robert is a member of the White Earth
Band of Ojibwe and is the first American Indian to serve in the
Minneapolis City Council.
Becky Lourey, Board Member, is a retired Minnesota Senator now working
as a farmer, writer, and small business owner. Senator Lourey provided
16 years of leadership in the Minnesota State Legislature, first in the
House and then in the Senate where she was an effective champion for
numerous economic and social justice issues including affordable health
care, sustainable agriculture, civil rights for all, disability issues,
affordable housing, Native American rights and the environment. The
mother of 12 children, Becky Lourey is known for her articulate grasp
of many issues and her ability to forge alliances with diverse groups.
She and her husband are owners of a small rural business that provides
child care and living wages for their 50 employees. Currently, she is
working on a book about global sustainability and world peace.
Fardin Oliaei, Board Member, has a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, MS
in Biology and BS in Chemistry. She is currently the Lead Scientist and
Coordinator of Emerging Contaminants at the MN Pollution Control
Agency. Fardin is respected nationally and internationally for her
scientific research, her writings and lectures on air pollutants,
persistent bioaccumulative toxic pollutants, PBDEs, flame-retardants,
dioxin, plus other newly identified environmental contaminants. Her
emphasis includes their impact on human health and ecological risks
associated with toxic exposure. Fardin has taught at several Minnesota
Colleges and Universities and currently serves on the Board of the
Forum of Women in the Environmental Field and on the Advisory Group on
Fate and Exposure Modeling for the Society of Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry (SETAC).
Chela Vasquez, Board Member, has a Ph.D. in Environmental Science.
Currently, Chela works as Campaign Coordinator at Pesticide Action
Network North America. In her recent job as Development Coordinator
with Centro Campesino she wrote grants and organized farmworkers on
human, civil, and workers' rights in South Central Minnesota. At Centro
Campesino she helped pass state legislation strengthening labor law
enforcement for migrant workers in Minnesota. Her previous work at the
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy focused on international
genetic resources; and at Minnesota Water Alliance she worked on
preventing water privatization in Minnesota.
WEI ADVISORS
Barbra Wiener, WEI Development Committee Advisor. Barbara is the
founder of the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, which provides support, information, referral, and advocacy
to women with cancer and their caregivers. Barbra also serves on
numerous foundation and community boards. Ms. Wiener earned her M.A. in
Child Development, Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, California.
Peg Thomas, Finance and Budget Advisor: a partner with Strategeries:
Nonprofit Business Directions, has years of Executive Director and CFO
experience with nonprofits and foundations. Peg has helped build many
national and local initiatives and was a Founding Board Member of WEI
and it’s first Board Chair. Ms. Thomas earned her M.P.A. from Harvard
University.
Steven Lassiter, Chief Financial Officer at Greater Minneapolis Day
Care Association, Open Cities Health Clinic and also a partner with
Strategeries: Nonprofit Business Directions, has many years of CFO
experience and community service, including being the former CFO of
Open Cities Health Clinic; Steven is a graduate of Yale University and
has a Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School
of Business.